A Muslim was bragging to an Orthodox Christian about fasting in the Islamic tradition. "You Christians have it so easy, you can eat practically whatever and whenever you want, while we have to go without eating from sunrise to sunset. We definitely show greater devotion in our fasting."
"Not so," replied the Christian. "Each fasts according to his own spiritual level and ability, set by his father of confession." There are in fact Christians that fast sunrise to sunset."
Hearing this, the Muslim said, "I bet you don't fast more days than us though. How about this, for every day that Muslims fast, I get to slap you in the face, and you can do the same for me." The Christian agreed.
"We have the Ramadan fast, a whole month. That's 30 slaps." So the Muslim slapped the Christian on the face 30 times. "Your turn."
The Christian started: "First we have the fast of Saint Mary, that's 2 weeks. But I won't slap you for those. Then we have 43 days for the Nativity fast, but we'll hold those for now as well. The apostles fast varies from year to year, it can be between 30 and 50 days, but we won't count them. Then we have Jonah's fast, three days. That's not a lot so I won't count them. Then we have Lent. 55 days. But I'll tell you what, we'll leave those too."
The Muslim was relieved. That would have been a lot of slaps. However, he cautiously asked, "Is there more?"
With a smile, the Christian raised his hand, and with each slap cried, "Wednesday! Friday! Wednesday! Friday! Wednesday!...."